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Phoenix Nexus News The Beacon Star Date 215.13.2
The Beacon Star Date 215.13.2

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It is said that a Beacon burns most brightly in the darkest depths of night - as a new darkness descends on the galaxy we offer a place for hope to shine again.

We will not lie and claim to be unbiased as other publications do, our aim is to give an opportunity to all the Humans and Aliens who oppose the darkness that has infiltrated the Empire of Man to tell their side of the story. It is up to you as readers to hear both sides of the story and decide who you believe is telling you the truth.




GCE collapsing under Caliphate control

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Around 10 years ago the EEM opened up the registration rules to allow new affiliations to be easily created and flagged. The move was to allow captains to go it alone and form their own companies and should they find a world/race which was unrepresented a nation of their own.

Over the years many new affiliations have been formed with varying degrees of success, but one of the galaxies success stories had been Garcia Enterprises (GCE).

The GCE was founded as a family run company focussing on trade and exploration. They prided themselves on their neutrality and independence and gained access to most areas of space throughout the galaxy.

Many captains joined their ranks, they established permanent bases throughout the galaxy and began to acquire and develop the basic technologies an affiliation needs. They soon were building their own ships and offering manufactured goods and technology on their markets. Their captains were one of the first into Corewards and offering their services as explorers to many nations.

However as they grew in size and wealth many became jealous of their success with an increase in pirate attacks, raids by mercenaries and skirmishes with aliens; the GCE was forced to invest in a small military to defend their assets.

Although wanting to remain neutral and independent in order to try and avoid further conflict the GCE looked to establish friends throughout the galaxy. Having suffered attacks by the DEN and FLZ it is not surprising they looked to make friends within the alien community to try and prevent any further confrontations.

It is ironic then that the GCE would be targeted by the Caliphate (CAL) under the pretext of collaboration with aliens that had been attacking them. However many believe the attacks were to cover the CAL’s failed economic policies and tap into the wealth and success that the GCE had generated. In public statements, there is an undercurrent that the Caliphate is not rich enough to support their own standard of living and are jealous of, supposedly, richer affiliations. It is no coincidence that this move was made after the CAL failed to integrate the FET into the fabric of the Caliphate economy

The GCE were no match for an established government with a powerful navy and subsequently capitulated to their demands. Under the control of the CAL they have been forced to cancel friendships and ties with anyone deemed by the Caliphate as unsuitable and are subject to Caliphate direction are are no longer ablate act as independent traders and explorers.

It is no surprise that many captains and base governors have chosen to leave the GCE and return to their independent routes. A number of the GCE’s most established bases and a large number of ships have gone independent while others have chosen to join with affiliations they previously were friends with. Rapidly the GCE has shrunk in size, while the shell that remains is repurposed and forced to support the Caliphate war machine.

It is sad to see such a great affiliation brought to its knees by the actions of the Caliphate. We hope that one day it is able to escape the shackles of its new master and rebuild as the independent traders and explorers they once were.


Standing in Defiance of the Caliphate - The AFT

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Under the same cross fires which the GCE faced the Affiliation of Free Traders (AFT) has chosen to defy the Caliphates demands and resist being subjugated by them.

The AFT is one of the galaxies oldest affiliations, made up of independent traders who cooperate and abide by a simple code of ethics which allows them to be recognised and welcomed throughout the galaxy.

We reached out to the AFT’s director Gideon Fochs (GF) as well as one of their most recognisable members Mona Luvsitt (ML) to get some perspective from the AFT on current events.

In addition we also spoke with Mr Tom Krieger (TK) Director of Exploration within the Galactic trade and Transport (GTT). We were speaking with Mr Krieger for our piece below regarding the GTT however we posed a few of the same questions to him.

It is important though that we note that any views expressed by Mr Tom Krieger in this publication are his personal views and are not official policy statements for the GTT.

- Should all affiliations be under a Governmental flag or is their room for neutrals? -

(GF-AFT) The peripheries are large enough to accommodate many different affiliations whether they are affiliated with an existing government or are independent.

(ML-AFT) I am very happy to support any government that respects it's citizens. I am very happy to support any government that protects it's citizens. To do that I need to maintain my own neutrality. In fact, I would go as far as saying, if I wasn't neutral I would not be able to support any government.

(TK-GTT) I feel that a trading affiliation can remain completely independent and neutral only as long as all governments are at peace, which unfortunately occurs only for rare periods of time. But what happens when there is conflict? Trying to remain neutral, such an affiliation can either decide to trade with all parties involved or none of the participants. Any government is going to resent an organization that trades with all sides; a government will feel betrayed when you deal with their enemies. Or the affiliation ceases trading with both sides and risks failing because of the loss of revenue. It’s not a question of if there is place, it’s a more a matter of if it is feasible or not.

- Is there any truth in the Caliphates claim that you are collaborating against the empire of man with Aliens?

(GF-AFT) There is no truth to the Vizier's claims that the AFT are acting against the Human Empire. The AFT happily co-exists with other EMP bases on many worlds. We also assist in IMP system claims where expected. Our policy was equally applied to the Caliphate until their current attitude towards us changed.

(ML-AFT) Collaboration is an odd term to accuse a trade affiliation of... We are happy to trade with anyone and everyone. I'm not a collaborator. Well, maybe I'll collaborate with Mr Kantner of the FET, if he is available to take me to dinner sometime soon ... it's the jackboots that do it for me!”

(TK-GTT) Do I feel they are actively collaborating? No, I don’t, but as I said in my prior answer, it isn’t feasible to remain neutral when major players in the Galaxy become antagonistic.

- What can others do to help the AFT?

(GF-AFT) It is up to others to decide how they want to help the AFT. We only wish for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict with the CAL.

(ML-AFT) Other affiliations should judge the AFT on our own merit. If we make good trade partners ... then you are helping us. If we help maintain your system claims ... then you are helping us.
I'm sure there is something I can do for each and every Affiliation leader (if only their wives will let me!).

- What can be done to defuse the current situations (War on Neutrals and the recent alien/human fighting) or is war inevitable?

(TK-GTT) You can’t defuse a bomb after it has gone off. The only way to begin to stop the conflict is for both sides to open lines of communication without all of the rhetoric and posturing. And this will be extremely difficult because of the radical difference of the various species when it comes to areas of honor, justice, duty, etc. I feel that one of the main ways to avoid all out warfare is to work hard to not expand the sphere of conflict. However, I can understand the desire to strike out against those who you feel have wronged you wherever they may be.


The GTT - Pillar of the Empire

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Another of the Galaxies oldest trading affiliations is the mega corporation Galactic Trade and Transport (GTT). Unlike the GCE and AFT they are an Imperially chartered affiliation which means they are firmly part of the Human Empire.

The GTT have a long and honourable history and a well deserved reputation of investing in and developing the worlds they establish themselves on. They provide the industrial might to the empire and maintain an extensive transport fleet as well as a powerful defence fleet which supports the Empire as needed.

It was seen therefore as un-characteristic of the GTT, this pillar of the Empire, to break their word and take part in the attack against the DEN in Zewt. The fall out of this attack has seen the CEO of the company, James Stryker, resign from the GTT following these events. His official statement is provided below:

“A few days ago a series of battles took place in the system of Zewt in the Coreward Periphery. The battle was not totally unexpected, but the outcome was. By previous agreements with the Nation, GTT warships were not to have DEN on its Enemies list and not to have CAL on its Support lists. The CAL was to be only on the GTT’s Defend lists. The targeting lists of the participating GTT warships in that battle were defective and had CAL on the Support lists and not on Defend only as our previous agreements called for. As a result, the GTT destroyed more DEN warships than would have occurred had the target lists been correct.”

“Contrary to recent reports, DEN was not on our Enemies list, but that is irrelevant as CAL should not have been on our Support lists. The targeting lists in Coreward were defective.”

“I am the undisputed leader of the GTT and the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that orders are carried out is mine and mine alone. I take full and complete responsibility for what transpired in the Zewt system. I decline to avoid my responsibilities by searching out scapegoats. I take ownership of the actions that occurred during that battle.”

“Some tentative steps to repair the damaged relationship between the Nation and the GTT have indicated that my reputation for the Honorable conduct of business has been damaged beyond repair. Accordingly, I submit to the Board of Directors my resignation as CEO and is to be effective immediately.”

As my last official act as CEO of the Galactic Trade and Transport Corporation, I am summoning the Board to an emergency meeting to choose my successor.”

“That is all.”

“Sincerely,”

”James Stryker – Formerly CEO of the GTT”


While Mr Stryker has taken responsibility for the events that took place it can not be forgotten that the GTT would not have been in this position if it were not for the CAL orchestrating this recent war. It was the CAL that carried active enemy lists meaning that any ships supporting them would also open fire on any of the alien ships they encountered; civilian or military.

The recent attacks were not supported by all GTT forces, in last weeks publication we insinuated that there were no GTT anti-pirate forces in Coreward however it has been brought to our attention that GTT anti-pirate squadrons under Tom Krieger were present and took no part in the attacks against the DEN, HEX or FLZ. They had in fact successfully engaged and destroyed 3 PIR and MRC vessels in the region.

However there has been a concerted effort by the CAL to gain support within the GTT in order to Strengthen their failing economy and bolster their military capabilities. The CAL did not have the strength in Corewards needed to carry out its threats without the GTT forces so it was in their interest that the GTT lists were incorrect on the accompanying GTT ships. Elaborate ceremonies and marriages between major houses has cemented support within the GTT for the CAL. The New CEO Ike Krieger has already stated that:

We will continue to support our Caliphates allies in their Coreward efforts and elsewhere if called upon. All current trade arrangements remain in place. There will be a bit of a consolidation of assets as we absorb the loss of James Stryker and merge his portfolio into the remaining members of the GTT. The Board will be contacting by PM those who we think might like first shot at some of our assets that no longer fit the business model. After that, the Board will put up for sale whatever we can't make use of, which will include a large inventory of obsolete freight designs.

Ike Krieger
CEO GTT


We wonder whether the stepping down of James Stryker has only strengthened the Caliphates infiltration and influence over the GTT?

In order to get a better understanding of the GTT we spoke with Mr Tom Krieger (TK) Director of Exploration within the Galactic trade and Transport (GTT) and posed a number of questions to him:

It is important though that we note that any views expressed by Mr Tom Krieger in this publication are his personal views and are not official policy statements for the GTT.

What do you think the GTT's primary role and purpose is - what motivates/focuses you?

(TK-GTT) Our general purpose is to be a profitable, reputable corporation. We attract people who want to work together to ensure all are successful. I personally am motivated by exploration, development and trade. And we are willing to undertake large projects to make things better where we have a presence. For example, the work we’ve done to the planet Seventeen in Adamski and other places. I’ve written a few articles for the CPT that talk about them.

- Is the GTT becoming too militarized? It has an impressive fleet and a GTT member is also Patrol commissioner - is the GTT becoming the navy of the IMP?

(TK-GTT) No, I don’t feel we are becoming too militarized. We are not the Empire’s navy, the Imperial fleet is very capable on its own. Our forces are a deterrent, they protect our assets. The Imperial fleets can’t be everywhere and we would be doing a disservice to our employees and the peoples we interact with to provide less than optimum defenses. My own experience is the Galaxy is a dangerous place, my ships have destroyed or captured a dozen pirate ships for example. Almost all of our senior leadership have prior military backgrounds of some extent so it is in our nature to be prepared when called upon. We consider ourselves loyal Citizens of the Empire and we would be doing the Empire a disservice if we didn’t maintain a fleet that can support her well.

- What are your thoughts on the reports that GTT ships attacked Merchant ships in Corewards?

(TK-GTT) It upset me a great deal, but I know how easy it is for complex support and defend orders to cause automated systems to activate before human reaction time has a chance to stop them.

- Do you believe that the Aliens that have got involved were right to get involved with the AFT base? were they trying to help or being opportunistic?

(TK-GTT) I don’t have any firsthand knowledge of the situation. I know the aliens have been very active in the Coreward Systems. For example, the FLZ have claimed two star systems in that region of space. I don’t know if they were being opportunistic or not, it depends on what they paid for the base. However, when something is too good to be true, it probably is. If the base was sold cheaply, I would have been very suspicious about why. It is possible that the aliens either were not aware or misjudged the reaction of the CAL in this matter. It’s not a question of right or wrong, it’s a question of whether it was a good idea to interject oneself into a volatile situation. I wouldn’t have done it because I would have considered it a bad business risk although I’m not part of a government and don’t have to make governmental decisions.

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Will the GTT overcome the influence of the CAL and return to being the pillar of the empire it always has? With honourable people like Tom Krieger and the example of James Stryker to take responsibility for ones actions we hope they will.

Who Are Beacon?
Based in Yank, Halo and Corewards the Beacon team is a mixture of Human and Alien traders who fly under a number of different flags. Able to gather stories and information from all over the galaxy they have unrivalled access to the events of the day.

Can others Submitt?
While we have a team of writers we are happy to accept submissions from others outside the Beacon team. To send a submission send a PM to “The Beacon”.